Technical Expert Part-time

We are looking for a person with a strong technical background to support projects with software engineering and expertise. The person will work part-time, either in our Berlin office or remotely.

About the FSFE

Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to control technology. Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our lives and it is important that technology empowers rather than restricts us. Free Software gives everybody the rights to use, understand, adapt and share software. These rights help support other fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, press and privacy.

The FSFE helps individuals and organisations to understand how Free Software contributes to freedom, transparency, and self-determination. It enhances users’ rights by abolishing barriers to Free Software adoption, encourages people to use and develop Free Software, and provides resources to enable everyone to further promote Free Software in Europe.

We are involved in many activities in the legal, economic, political and technical areas around Free Software. Our work is made possible by a community of volunteers, supporters, donors, and staff.
Two persons sitting in front of a screen

Main responsibilities

• Working closely with project and program coordinators, and supporting them with technical evaluations for our work in the areas of policy, legal and public awareness.
• Software engineering of existing and new tools that are used inside and outside the organisation. For example, the tools offered by the FSFE’s REUSE initiative.
• Providing technical and practical expertise for Free Software on mobile devices, e.g. for the Free Your Android activity. That may include updating documentation, preparing workshops, or offering training to other staff and volunteers.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate well, and to translate technical topics to other experts in policy, legal and public awareness, and vice versa.
• Willingness and ability to get acquainted with new topics within a short time.
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Other European languages are considered an asset.
• Solid programming knowledge, especially Python.
• Experience with Android and methods to gain as much software freedom as possible on mobile devices.
• Understanding of modern software development collaboration and tools like Git and CI systems.
• Enthusiasm for the principles of Free Software and its community.
• Knowledge about Free Software licensing is considered an asset.

Attitude

We are looking for a reliable, well-organised team player who contributes their technical expertise to various topics, in the form of code, research and communication. You are able to self-organise your time budget, and work effectively and efficiently. Software freedom is not only a tool for you, but something you deeply care about.

Furthermore, you are a great communicator and feel comfortable to look over the rim of your tea cup. You are good at learning new things quickly, and explaining these to others in verbal and written form is fun for you. On the other hand, you are willing and able to familiarise yourself with and incrementally improve existing processes and tools.

Working time

The desired working time would be 10 to 20 hours per week. You can either work in the Berlin office or remotely. Of course you could combine this job with another activity.

How to apply

To apply, please send a maximum one-page cover letter – including the desired hours per week and your salary expectation – and a maximum two-page CV (only PDFs are accepted) by email to jobs@fsfe.org, with the subject “technical expert”. Please do not include pictures of yourself in the application.

Your personal data will be deleted 3 months after we have made our decision. The closing date for applications is Sunday, 21 February 2021.

Free Software is meant to serve everyone regardless of their age, ability or disability, gender identity, sex, race, nationality, religion or sexual orientation. Hence, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and promise to judge all applications on merit, without reference to any of the characteristics listed. To promote diversity and equality in the Free Software community, we shall give preference to applicants who identify as part of a traditionally marginalised demographic in technology for applications of equal strength.